Dodgy dealings land croupier sock thief in trouble

Published: 18th May 2009

Pulling your socks up in the workplace is something many people do, but one used them to hide casino chips in before taking the money home each night.

Wayne Wagner, a 38-year-old croupier at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino, would hand the sock-based chips to an accomplice who would cash in his so-called winnings, with the pair splitting them down the middle.

Had it not been for one of the many eagle-eyed bosses at the upper-class betting palace, then Mr Wagner's six-year-old legwear habit would have likely continued.

Last October, the man was jailed for 15 months and ordered to pay £36,000 after admitting the theft of £69,000, though Grosvenor has served a writ on his shoulders now, naming him as responsible for the loss of £250,000 to £350,000.

The venue where the dangerous dealings took place is found on Edgware Road, providing live sports, poker rooms and restaurants inside.